As a young University with a proud history, we, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), are resolutely committed to fulfilling our distinct mission of providing application-oriented education in meeting the community's need for skilled and professional manpower.

The main objectives of the PolyU, as stipulated in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ordinance, are "to provide for studies, training and research in technology, science, commerce, arts and other subjects of learning."

During the past 29 years, more than 187,000 young men and women have graduated from the PolyU and our predecessor, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, and found their places in various sectors of the society, dedicating their knowledge and expertise to the building and development of Hong Kong's thriving economy.

In addition to meeting Hong Kong's manpower requirements, we also make significant contribution towards the success of Hong Kong's economic development by direct provision to local industry and commerce of a combination of applied research activities,professional training and consultancy work. It is an area where we have played a leading role among all tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, and where an excellent partnership has been built with the private sector during the past years.

In accepting the challenges ahead, the University Management, with strong support from the Council, has formulated a Strategic Plan which clearly defines the University's vision up to the year 2001. In broad terms, we are determined to become the "preferred" institution, offering "preferred" programmes and producing "preferred" graduates for Hong Kong, China and the region.

To achieve these ambitious but totally realistic objectives, we will try our utmost to excel in the following areas, including: course design, development and evaluation; education technologies and delivery mechanisms; applied research and development, consultancy; marketing and communication of our education services in relation to alumni liaison, image, student liaison, research and understanding of the needs of our customer.

In line with our overall mission, we will continue to provide quality education of an applied nature relevant to the changing requirements of the community, so as to prepare students for the challenges which they will meet in their future careers.